Zoysiagrass plant named ‘Shadow Turf’

ABSTRACT

Zoysia matrella  ‘Shadow Turf’, is a new and unique cultivar that is characterized by its ability to produce quality turf in shady conditions with deep green foliage, a moderate to vigorous growth habit, medium-fine texture, cold hardiness to U.S.D.A. Zone 6b and its adaptability in a wide range of growing conditions.

Botanical classification: Zoysia matrella.

Varietal designation: ‘Shadow Turf’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Zoysiamatrella and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, ‘ShadowTurf’. ‘Shadow Turf’ represents a new cultivar of zoysiagrass for use asa turfgrass wherever zoysiagrass is adapted.

The inventor discovered the new cultivar, ‘Shadow Turf’, as a naturallyoccurring whole plant mutation at his nursery in Lubbock, Tex. in March2005. The parentage of ‘Shadow Turf’ is unknown. ‘Shadow Turf’ wasselected for its uniformity and performance in shady conditions and wassubsequently evaluated in comparison trials and by DNA fingerprinting tofurther determine its uniqueness and its potential use as a turfgrass.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished byrooting stem cuttings that included stolons and rhizomes in Lubbock,Tex. in April 2005 by the inventor. The characteristics of this cultivarhave been determined to be stable and are reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observedand in combination distinguish ‘Shadow Turf’ as a unique cultivar ofzoysiagrass. ‘Shadow Turf’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in temperature, day-length, light intensity, soil types, andwater and fertility levels without, however, any variance in genotype.The measurements, observations, and descriptions that follow describeplants after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of greenhouse experiments and fieldtrials in Lubbock, Tex. Performance in shady conditions was determinedby growth under 50% and 90% light reducing cloth in a greenhouse.

-   -   1. ‘Shadow Turf’ produces quality turf in shady conditions.    -   2. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibits deep green foliage that is retained        when grown in shady conditions.    -   3. ‘Shadow Turf’ has a moderate to vigorous growth habit in        comparison to other cultivars of zoysiagrass.    -   4. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibits a medium-fine leaf texture.    -   5. ‘Shadow Turf’ has a unique DNA fingerprint when compared to        14 other zoysiagrass genotypes.    -   6. ‘Shadow Turf’ is cold hardy in U.S.D.A. Zone 6b.    -   7. ‘Shadow Turf’ is widely adaptable and tolerant to hot and dry        conditions in full sun as well as shady conditions.

‘Shadow Turf’ was grown in comparison trials with other five cultivarsof zoysiagrass; ‘Zorro’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,130), ‘Meyer’ (notpatented), DALZ 0501 (not patented), ‘Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.10,636), and ‘Emerald’ (not patented). The closest comparison plants areZoysia ‘Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,636) and Zoysia ‘Emerald’ (notpatented). In comparison to ‘Diamond’, ‘Shadow Turf’, although similarin shade tolerance and leaf color, has a faster growth rate and acoarser leaf texture. In comparison to ‘Emerald’, ‘Shadow Turf’,although similar in leaf texture, has better shade tolerance and a morevigorous growth rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand distinct characteristics of the new zoysiagrass.

FIG. 1 shows a planting of ‘Shadow Turf’ as grown in 72-cell trays undergreenhouse conditions for 2.5 months.

The photograph in FIG. 2 was taken of a 72-cell plug after 6 months ofgrowth.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the digitalphotography techniques available, the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description accurately describe the colors of the newzoysiagrass.

COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Field experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate therelative growth and establishment rate of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrasscompared to other zoysiagrass genotypes. Zoysiagrass genotypes wereestablished using 10-cm² vegetative plugs and growth was monitored for12 weeks. In 2006, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the third highest initialincrease in plug diameter (24 cm) 6 weeks after planting (WAP) (Table1). Plug diameter of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass 6 WAP in 2006 was similarto that of ‘Meyer’ (28 cm), DALZ 0501 (22 cm), and ‘Emerald’ (21 cm),lower than that of ‘Zorro’ (34 cm), and higher than that of ‘Diamond’(18 cm) 6 WAP. In 2007, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the second largestinitial increase in plug diameter (19 cm) 6 WAP (Table 1). Growth of‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to that of ‘Zorro’ (18 cm) and DALZ 0501 (18cm) 6 WAP. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited a larger plug diameter than that of‘Emerald’ (17 cm) and ‘Diamond’ (14 cm), but was less than that of‘Meyer’ (22 cm) 6 WAP. In 2006, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the thirdlargest plug diameter (36 cm) 12 WAP (Table 1). Growth of ‘Shadow Turf’was similar to that of DALZ 0501 (30 cm), greater than that of ‘Emerald’(27 cm) and ‘Diamond’ (23 cm), but less than that of ‘Zorro’ (49 cm) and‘Meyer’ (48 cm) 12 WAP. In 2007, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the thirdhighest increase in plug diameter (57 cm) 12 WAP (Table 1). Plugdiameter of ‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to that of ‘Meyer’ (60 cm),‘Zorro’ (59 cm), and DALZ 0501 (53 cm) and greater than that of‘Emerald’ (42 cm) and ‘Diamond’ (38 cm) 12 WAP.

Field experiments were conducted in 2007 to evaluate the relativeturfgrass color of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass compared to otherzoysiagrass genotypes. Zoysiagrass genotypes were established using10-cm² vegetative plugs and turfgrass color was monitored for 12 weeks.Turfgrass color was visually estimated on a scale of 1 (brown turf) to 9(dark green). ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the highest turfgrass color rating(7.5) of all zoysiagrass genotypes evaluated 6 WAP (Table 2). Turfgrasscolor of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass was similar to that of ‘Diamond’(7.3), DALZ 0501 (7.3), ‘Emerald’ (7.0), and ‘Zorro’ (6.8), and greaterthan ‘Meyer’ (6.3) 6 WAP. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the third highestturfgrass color rating (7.3) 12 WAP (Table 2). Turfgrass color of‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass was similar to ‘Diamond’ (7.8), DALZ 0501(7.0), ‘Meyer’ (7.0), and ‘Zorro’ (6.8), but was lower than ‘Emerald’(8.0) 12 WAP.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate therelative effect of three shade levels (0%, 50%, and 90% shade) on thegrowth of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass compared to other zoysiagrassgenotypes. Plugs (2.5-cm²) of each genotype were planted in pots andplaced under artificial shade cloth canopies. Growth was expressed asthe percent plug diameter increase for each genotype, and recorded for12 weeks. In 2006, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the second highest increasein plug diameter (36%) 6 WAP when grown under 50% shade (Table 3).‘Shadow Turf’ growth was similar to ‘Diamond’ (38%), ‘Zorro’ (34%), and‘Meyer’ (33%), and greater than DALZ 0501 (21%) and ‘Emerald’ (19%) 6WAP when grown under 50% shade. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the highestpercent increase in plug diameter (18%) 6 WAP when grown under 90% shade(Table 3). Growth under 90% shade of ‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to‘Diamond’ (18%), DALZ 0501 (18%), and ‘Emerald’ (18%), and greater than‘Zorro’ (−38%) and ‘Meyer’ (−49%) 6 WAP. In 2007, ‘Shadow Turf’exhibited the second highest increase in plug diameter (40%) 6 WAP whengrown under 50% shade (Table 3). ‘Shadow Turf’ growth was similar tothat of ‘Diamond’ (41%), but greater than DALZ 0501 (29%), ‘Emerald’(29%), ‘Meyer’ (24%), and ‘Zorro’ (16%) 6 WAP when grown under 50%shade. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the second highest increase in plugdiameter (10%) 6 WAP when grown under 90% shade (Table 3). Growth of‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to ‘Diamond’ (10%) and DALZ 0501 (14%), butgreater than ‘Meyer’ (6%), ‘Emerald’ (−2%), and ‘Zorro’ (−3%) 6 WAP whengrown under 90% shade. In 2006, ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass exhibited thesecond highest increase in plug diameter (68%) when grown under 50%shade 12 WAP (Table 4). Growth of ‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to that of‘Diamond’ (69%), but greater than ‘Meyer’ (56%), ‘Zorro’ (40%), DALZ0501 (37%), and ‘Emerald’ (28%) 12 WAP when grown under 50% shade.‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the greatest increase in plug diameter (21%) 12WAP when grown under 90% shade (Table 4). Growth was similar to DALZ0501 (15%) and ‘Diamond’ (5%), but greater than ‘Emerald’ (−31%),‘Zorro’ (−55%), and ‘Meyer’ (−87%) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade. In2007, ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass exhibited the largest increase in plugdiameter (60%) 12 WAP when grown under 50% shade (Table 4). Growth of‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to ‘Diamond’ (60%), but greater than ‘Emerald’(49%), DALZ 0501 (48%), ‘Meyer’ (24%), and ‘Zorro’ (21%) 12 WAP whengrown under 50% shade. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the greatest increase inplug diameter (11%) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade (Table 4). Growthof ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass was similar to ‘Diamond’ (11%) and DALZ0501 (7%), but greater than ‘Meyer’ (−17%), ‘Emerald’ (−21%), and‘Zorro’ (−38%) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate therelative effect of three shade levels (0, 50%, and 90% shade) on theperformance of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass to other zoysiagrass genotypes.Plugs (2.5-cm²) of each genotype were planted in pots and placed underartificial shade cloth canopies. Turfgrass quality was visuallyestimated on a scale of 1 (dead turf) to 9 (ideal turf) for 12 weeks. In2006, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the greatest turfgrass quality (5.7) 12WAP when grown under 50% shade (Table 5). Turfgrass quality of ‘ShadowTurf’ zoysiagrass was similar to ‘Diamond’ (5.0), ‘Meyer’ (5.0), and‘Zorro’ (5.0), but greater than ‘Emerald’ (4.3) and DALZ 0501 (4.3) 12WAP when grown under 50% shade. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the greatestturfgrass quality (4.7) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade. Turfgrassquality of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass was similar to ‘Diamond’ (3.7), andgreater than ‘Emerald’ (1.7), DALZ 0501 (1.7), ‘Zorro’ (1.3), and‘Meyer’ (1.0) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade. In 2007, ‘Shadow Turf’exhibited the second highest turfgrass quality (6.3) 12 WAP when grownunder 90% shade (Table 5). Turfgrass quality of ‘Shadow Turf’ wassimilar to the remaining zoysiagrass genotypes with turfgrass qualityratings of 5.0 to 5.3 12 WAP when grown under 50% shade. ‘Shadow Turf’zoysiagrass exhibited the greatest turfgrass quality (5.3) 12 WAP whengrown under 90% shade. Turfgrass quality of ‘Shadow Turf’ was similar to‘Diamond’ (5.3) and DALZ 0501 (4.7), but greater than ‘Emerald’ (3.0),‘Meyer’ (2.3), and ‘Zorro’ (2.0) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate therelative effect of three shade levels (0%, 50%, and 90% shade) on theperformance of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass to other zoysiagrass genotypes.Plugs (2.5-cm²) of each genotype were planted in pots and placed underartificial shade cloth canopies. Turfgrass color was visually estimatedon a scale of 1 (dead turf) to 9 (ideal turf) for 12 weeks. In 2006,‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass exhibited the second greatest turfgrass color(6.3) 12 WAP when grown under 50% shade (Table 6). No differences wereobserved in turfgrass color of ‘Shadow Turf’ and the remainingzoysiagrass genotypes 12 WAP when grown under 50% shade. ‘Shadow Turf’zoysiagrass exhibited the greatest turfgrass color (6.0) 12 WAP whengrown under 90% shade. Turfgrass color of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass wasgreater than all other zoysiagrass genotypes, which exhibited turfgrasscolor ratings of 1.0 to 4.0. In 2007, ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the secondgreatest turfgrass color (7.0) 12 WAP when grown under 50% shade (Table6). Turfgrass color of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass was similar to‘Diamond’ (7.7), ‘Emerald’ (7.0), ‘Meyer’ (6.3), and ‘Zorro’ (6.0) 12WAP when grown under 50% shade. ‘Shadow Turf’ exhibited the secondhighest turfgrass color rating (5.3) 12 WAP when grown under 90% shade.Turfgrass color of ‘Shadow Turf’ zoysiagrass was similar to ‘Diamond’(6.3), ‘Emerald’ (4.0), DALZ 0501 (3.7), and ‘Meyer’ (3.0) 12 WAP whengrown under 90% shade.

TABLE 1 Mean plug diameter (cm) of six zoysiagrass genotypes 6 and 12WAP established in 2006 and 2007. Plug Diameter 6 WAP 12 WAP 2006 20072006 2007 Genotype cm ‘Zorro’ 34 a^(†) 18 bc 49 a 59 a ‘Meyer’ 28 b 22 a48 a 60 a ‘Shadow Turf’ 24 bc 19 b 36 b 57 ab DALZ 0501 22 cd 18 bc 30bc 53 b ‘Emerald’ 21 cd 17 c 27 c 42 c ‘Diamond’ 18 d 14 d 23 c 38 c^(†)Means within a column followed by the same lower case letter are notsignificantly different at P ± 0.05 according to Fisher's Protected LSDtest.

TABLE 2 Mean turfgrass color of six zoysiagrass genotypes 6 and 12 WAPestablished in 2007. Turfgrass Color 6 WAP 12 WAP Genotype (1-9) ‘ShadowTurf’ 7.5 a^(†) 7.3 bc ‘Diamond’ 7.3 a 7.8 ab ‘Emerald’ 7.0 ab 8.0 aDALZ 0501 7.3 a 7.0 c ‘Zorro’ 6.8 ab 6.8 c ‘Meyer’ 6.3 b 7.0 c ^(†)Meanswithin a column followed by the same lower case letter are notsignificantly different at P ± 0.05 according to Fisher's Protected LSDtest.

TABLE 3 Percent plug diameter increase of six zoysiagrass genotypes whenexposed to 0%, 50%, and 90% shade 6 WAP. Plug Diameter Increase 6 WAP2006 Shade Level 2007 Shade Level 0 50 90 0 50 90 Genotype % ‘ShadowTurf’ 68 36 18 74 40 10 ‘Diamond’ 52 38 18 52 41 10 DALZ 0501 49 21 1864 29 14 ‘Emerald’ 68 19 18 47 29 −2 ‘Zorro’ 47 34 −38 32 16 −3 ‘Meyer’55 33 −49 49 24 6 LSD 35 35 35 22 22 22

TABLE 4 Percent plug diameter increase of six zoysiagrass genotypes whenexposed to 0%, 50%, and 90% shade 12 WAP. Plug Diameter Increase 12 WAP2006 Shade Level 2007 Shade Level 0 50 90 0 50 90 Genotype % ‘ShadowTurf’ 88 68 21 114 60 11 ‘Diamond’ 124 69 5 89 60 11 DALZ 0501 84 37 15107 48 7 ‘Emerald’ 78 28 −31 91 49 −21 ‘Zorro’ 53 40 −55 79 21 −38‘Meyer’ 103 56 −87 72 24 −17 LSD 33 33 33 25 25 25

TABLE 5 Turfgrass quality of six zoysiagrass genotypes when exposed to0%, 50%, and 90% shade 12 WAP. Turfgrass Quality 12 WAP 2006 Shade Level2007 Shade Level 0 50 90 0 50 90 Genotype (1-9) ‘Diamond’ 7.0 5.0 3.77.0 7.0 5.3 ‘Shadow Turf’ 7.0 5.7 4.7 7.0 6.3 5.3 ‘Emerald’ 6.7 4.3 1.75.7 5.3 3.0 DALZ 0501 6.7 4.3 1.7 7.0 5.0 4.7 ‘Zorro’ 5.7 5.0 1.3 6.05.3 2.0 ‘Meyer’ 6.3 5.0 1.0 6.0 5.0 2.3 LSD_(0.05) 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.31.3

TABLE 6 Turfgrass color of six zoysiagrass genotypes when exposed to 0%,50%, and 90% shade 12 WAP. Turfgrass Color 12 WAP 2006 Shade Level 2007Shade Level 0 50 90 0 50 90 Genotype (1-9) ‘Diamond’ 8.0 a^(†) 6.7 a 4.0b 8.0 a 7.7 a 6.3 a ‘Shadow Turf’ 6.7 b 6.3 a 6.0 a 7.7 ab 7.0 ab 5.3 ab‘Emerald’ 6.7 b 6.3 a 1.7 c 7.3 ab 7.0 ab 4.0 abc DALZ 0501 6.7 b 6.3 a1.7 c 7.0 b 5.7 c 3.7 bc ‘Zorro’ 6.7 b 6.0 a 1.3 c 7.0 b 6.0 bc 2.3 c‘Meyer’ 6.7 b 6.3 a 1.0 c 7.0 b 6.3 bc 3.0 bc ^(†)Means within a columnfollowed by the same lower case letter are not significantly differentat P ± 0.05 according to Fisher's Protected LSD test.

COMPLETE BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar as grown ina greenhouse with an average temperature of 80° F. for 6 months. Thecolor determination is in accordance with the 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chartof The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   General description:    -   -   Plant habit.—Perennial, spreads by stolons and rhizomes to            produce a dense turfgrass.        -   Hardiness.—U.S.D.A. Zone 6b.        -   Culture.—Adaptable, grows well and retains leaf color in hot            dry conditions in full sun as well as in shady conditions.        -   Diseases and pests.—No susceptibility or resistance to            diseases or pests that affect zoysiagrass has been observed.        -   Root description.—Fibrous roots on rhizomes.-   Growth and propagation:    -   -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings of sections including stolon and            rhizome.        -   Time required for root production.—30 days in a greenhouse            with an ambient temperature of approximately 80° F. without            bottom heat.        -   Time required for root development.—90 to 180 days to finish            a 1¾ inch plug depending on environmental conditions at the            time of propagation.-   Stolon description:    -   -   Stolon color.—146C maturing to 164C.        -   Internode length.—Average of 1.9 cm.        -   Roots.—Fibrous, 164C in color.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf texture.—Medium-fine.        -   Leaf blade shape.—Linear, rolled into bud on emergence,            concavely.        -   Leaf blade base.—Sheathed.        -   Leaf blade surface.—Smooth, slightly glaucous.        -   Leaf blade margin.—Very fine, short hairs.        -   Leaf apex.—Tapering to a sharp point.        -   Leaf blade veins.—Parallel.        -   Leaf bald aspect.—Concave.        -   Leaf size.—Vegetative leaf, third youngest leaf; ranges from            1.5 to 4 cm in length and 1 mm in width, flag leaf; an            average of 3.64 mm in length and 0.57 mm in width.        -   Leaf blade flexibility (softness).—Moderate.        -   Sheath length.—Ranges from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm.        -   Sheath color.—144D to 144C.        -   Ligule.—Row of very fine silky hairs about 1.5 cm in length            with leaf collar translucent and 144D in color.        -   Leaf blade color (abaxial and adaxial surface).—137C to            137B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   General description.—Terminal spike-like raceme, with            spikelets on short pedicels.        -   Raceme size.—Approximately 1.8 cm in length and up to 0.5 cm            in width.        -   Culm.—Typically 3 to 4 cm in length to base of flag leaf,            144B in color.        -   Spikelet length.—About 4 mm.        -   Reproductive organs.—Anthers; 2 to 3, about 1.2 mm in            length, 144D in color, versatile attachment, Pistil; 1, 2            plumose stigmas about 1.6 cm in length and 161A in color.        -   Seed.—Seed development has not been observed to date.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of zoysiagrass plant named ‘Shadow Turf’as herein illustrated and described.